The Center for the Study of Adult Literacy

Second International Conference on Women & Literacy

The Center for the Study of Adult Literacy (CSAL), in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, hosted the Second International Conference on Women and Literacy from January 24 to 26, 1999, at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Atlanta. Highlights of the conference included presentations from: Jenny Horsman, Canadian feminist educator and researcher, Liz Peavy, African-American adult literacy expert, Joanne Grant, civil rights author and activist, and Rhoma Spencer, actress and singer of Trinidad and Tobago.

The conference received contributions from the African American Studies Department, the Diversity Education Office, the Middle and Secondary Education and Instructional Technology Department, the Educational Psychology and Special Education Department and the Center for Urban Educational Excellence. These contributions helped sponsor participation for adult learners, Rhoma Spencer, and Joanne Grant. In addition, special funding from a Canadian literacy organization facilitated presentations by Canadian individuals.

At the end of the conference there was a working session during which participants collaborated to summarize the themes that were explored during the three-day journey. The issues of power and ethnicity in the adult literacy classroom, the effects of welfare to work legislation on parents in literacy programs, and the implications of abuse for the learner and the teacher who facilitates learning with such students were discussed. In addition, the impact of inappropriate health communications and the lack of good health facilities on adult literacy issues were addressed. A summary report (see page 3) was created and distributed to the participants through the new Women and Literacy listserv that is being facilitated by CSAL.

Many of the participants took time out to convey their congratulations to the planning committee of the second International Conference on Women and Literacy. It is with this in mind that discussions are now taking place to improve some of the features of the conference and to facilitate the funding of the next conference. We are looking forward to another conference that includes more literacy students and providers, as well as greater participation from women throughout the world.

Joanne K. Dowdy
Center for the Study of Adult Literacy